.
Feedback

Jewish Population Moving East

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland released the first number from their survey this week

The 80,800 Jews in Cleveland are moving east and are not aging as much as many believed, a

The contracted Jewish Policy and Action Research (JPAR), a professional survey services company, to phone people in all of Cuyahoga and parts of Portage, Geauga, Lake, Summit and Lorain Counties.

The most significant increase in Jewish population - 44 percent higher than the last survery in 1996 - was seen in a cluster that includes Beachwood, Solon and the East Side and Southeast suburbs.

The results show that the Jewish population has declined by 39 percent in the Northern Heights - including Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights, and Mayfield - but stayed steady in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and University Heights.

The Jewish population of Northeast Ohio is made up of more children than elderly, but baby boomers make the largest portion.

“The idea is to use all of this information to inform the planning and services of local Jewish organizations,” said Jewish Federation of Cleveland Senior Associate of Planning and Allocations Shelley Fishbach.

The Federation conducts the survey every 10 to 15 years. The last survey, conducted in 1996, found that 83 percent of households in Beachwood have at least one person who identifies as Jewish.

We're crunching the numbers at Patch. Expect more stories about the details in the report - and what it means for you - soon. Click on the PDF to the right to see the full report.

Elliot Ness January 28, 2012 at 11:06 pm
It seems I have always been surrounded by Jews. Growing up in Cleveland Hts, I remember some very old people that had their concentration camp number tattoo on their arms. I enjoyed bagels before they became the rage! My friends were Jewish, I was even a caddie at Oakwood Country Club and met many rich and powerful people. Now in Solon, I am neighbors to many Jewish people. My kids graduated from Solon, one of the top schools in the country for public schools. Jewish people have always made good neighbors and seem to know where to live for the best services. Cleveland Hts was a great community....I'm glad I never have to pass through there today....
Adele Eisner January 29, 2012 at 02:37 am
Well, "Mr. Ness," aren't you just the storybook model of oneness!
Living Jewish, but to present in your same superficial trite format, I can say - "Many of my best friends are not Jewish." And - so what? I feel sad for your simplistic, material views on life; and for the fear-hate "othering" you demonstrate; and/or need to rabble rouse just for you to feel a modicum of "more","power" or maybe "joy." PATCH to me is an "event" that works very hard on presenting objective, wide-ranging, up-to-date news for individuals and communities to thoughtfully gather and grow together. Thus, to me, your comments like this one do not belong here. And as for the one above, demand sincere apology - maybe even along with your real name.
Anne and George Karavantas January 29, 2012 at 06:55 am
Adele ^5
Nr Ness , As a resident of Cleveland Hts and a business owner in University Hts I can tell you that both communities are still great. Your problem is that you DON'T drive through any more so are ASSUMING that we are not. Anne
Adele Eisner January 29, 2012 at 07:41 am
Anne,
Just to clarify - I too am a resident of Cleveland Heights, and former resident and councilperson in Univ. Hts. I completely agree with you about the absolute excellence of both communities, as well as that of Solon, Beachwood, Lakewood, etc. etc. etc. Not sure about exactly to whom you addressed your above comments, just want to make myself more clear.
Adele Eisner January 29, 2012 at 09:52 pm
Last, and more closely to the point of this Patch article than the first comment led, I appreciate this notice of this Jewish Federation survey. The highlights of the survey point to some basic changes in facts, perceptions and needs, both internal and external to the Jewish Community and to our entire diverse NE Ohio region. I look forward to the information being used for organizations to better respond to those current community needs, not just appeal to them; and to building a more broadly understanding and inter-supportive diversity among all peoples.
Michelle Simakis January 30, 2012 at 03:01 pm
@Elliot, Please use your real first and last name on the site per our terms of use: www.clevelandheights.patch.com/terms.
Jenny Rosen February 26, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Gosh, I live in Cleveland Heights and I won't lie. I had to call the police recently for a mass fight of youths in the middle of Cedar Rd at 7:30pm on a weeknight. Six cruisers showed up. Last year I had to call the police for a gunshot followed by squealing tires. I was also a victim of a very serious felony by a stranger. I know we're supposed to lie about how great Cleveland Hts is for whatever reason people like Adele Eisner have for prending that the emporer has new clothes, but my experience has been otherwise. My CH policeman friend died when he was shot in the face when he responded to a call and a recently a teen was killed near Superior and Lee, allegedly by a young man who had tried to grab a policeman's gun at the Coventry flash mob last year.
Last year a man was shot to death on Meadowbrook. There are frequent problems at CVS at Cedar-Lee and many times the police have to drive along side the Roxboro kids while they are walking home. This is not how it was when I grew up here and I won't lie about it to pretend it's excellent here.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Beachwood Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Nikki Ferrell (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 01:57 pm
Yes, there is! You can find the agenda here: http://www.beachwoodohio.com/agendacenter
Ginny Wykoff May 30, 2013 at 02:29 pm
This should be a great evening. Steve Berry, is one of the greatest authors of my decade along withRead More James Patterson. They both have done their homework in research and story-telling. I would love to listen to him, however, I will not be in the area that week. It would be wonderful if he were invited to the Heights area, either Legacy, Beachwood, Cleveland Hts., because he would bring down the house with fans. Thank you, again. Love his tales.